Coolest cars for summer: Best cars for road trips

Those long drives can get fatiguing, which is why the Cadillac CT6 we drove is such an appealing summer road trip companion.

Cadillac’s Super Cruise system will let you drive hands-off on certain highways.

That’s in addition to luxury touches to keep you comfortable, such as heated and ventilated front and rear seats. Cadillac also says the front seats feature 15 massage settings.

A 34-speaker audio system comes standard with certain models, perfect for rocking out or just relaxing on your journey.

The bad news: The CT6 is now out of production, although new 2020 models remain on dealer lots.

The CT6 starts at $59,990, including delivery, before any discounts.

For those looking for a three-row luxury SUV, there’s the Lincoln Aviator, a hushed-and-leathered-up version of the Ford Explorer.

It draws styling cues from the larger Navigator and is easier to maneuver than that sibling, although it is still quite large and takes some getting used to.

Technology features include an adaptive cruise control system that allows the vehicle to come to a complete stop and then start again. The system can even adjust the speed based on speed limit signs that it recognizes.

The Aviator starts at $52,840, including delivery and acquisition fees, before any discounts.

Though not as glamorous, the Toyota Sienna minivan is perhaps the most convenient summer road trip machine – and one that can do the job in winter, too, with its available all-wheel drive. (The Chrysler Pacifica minivan is also now being offered with all-wheel drive.)

Minivans in general offer much greater ease of use than SUVs, thanks to their large sliding doors and big rear hatches.

When it comes to loading everyone and everything up – and especially making the climb into the third row of seats less awkward – vans are hard to beat.

The Sienna starts at $32,760 for front-wheel drive models, including a delivery, processing and handling fee.